In recent years, China has placed the promotion of green development at the forefront of its overall economic and social development, making significant strides in building a “beautiful China” and laying a deep foundation and strong impetus for modernization in the Chinese style. China’s experience in this regard can be assessed by analyzing a number of Chinese plans, programs, and policies in this context.
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, held in Beijing from October 20 to 23, 2025, emphasized the necessity of green transformation of the Chinese economy both domestically and internationally. This includes China’s participation with science in building the Belt and Road Initiative with high quality, supporting China’s policy on a “green and environmentally friendly economy.” The session proposed accelerating the construction of a new-style Chinese energy system, actively and safely achieving optimum carbon emission, and expediting the formation of green production and lifestyle patterns. This demonstrates that China is a leading actor and a key contributor to global green development. China’s modernization is a modernization that follows the path of peaceful development. China steadily pursues a strategy of opening up for mutual benefit, building world peace through its constructive contributions to global development, and safeguarding the international environmental and ecological order, primarily by promoting a global green economy under China’s leadership.
This sends a strong signal to the world that China is committed to openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit, reflecting its responsibility as a stabilizing force for a green, environmentally friendly global economy and ecological civilization in our time. This Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is of paramount importance because China will accomplish the major goals and tasks outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan for modernization under China’s style to protect the global climate. By formulating an ambitious plan to promote the transition to a green economy under China’s leadership and support, China will enter a crucial stage in consolidating its foundations and unleashing its full potential to achieve fundamental socialist modernization.
One of the important outcomes of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was the emphasis placed on proposals for China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2025) on “accelerating comprehensive green transformation and building a beautiful China.” Green development is a defining characteristic of China’s modernization model. The proposals of the CPC Central Committee for the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development included “achieving new major progress in building a beautiful China” as a key objective for economic and social development during the plan period. China’s focus on accelerating comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development and building a beautiful China clearly outlines the direction for promoting the construction of a Chinese ecological civilization globally through its massive Belt and Road Initiative.
Here, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s address to the 2025 Leaders’ Conference on Climate and Just Transition resonated, emphasizing that “no matter how the world changes, China will not slow down its climate action, reduce its support for international cooperation, or cease its efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.” President “Xi” further stressed that “harmony between humanity and nature is a hallmark of Chinese-style modernization, and China is a steadfast player and a major contributor to promoting global green development.”
Accordingly, we understand this current Chinese approach: adopting a comprehensive model and approach to address climate change and air pollution globally. This includes China’s vigorous efforts and increasing work to reduce climate pollutants, ultimately promoting a green economy and ecological civilization globally, spearheaded by China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
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